David Axelrod: Obama's Senior Adviser?

ABC News reports:

Former Obama chief strategist David Axelrod has accepted the position of Senior Adviser in the White House, sources tell ABC News.

He will join Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill, who has accepted the position of Obama's White House Chief of Staff.

Axelrod is a sharp political strategist and Emanuel brings a lot of strengths to the office.

The New Republic adds that Axelrod and Emanuel are close friends -- Axelrod even signed the ketubah at Emanuel's wedding. Rolling Stone quotes Emanuel saying that during the campaign, they spoke several times a day in a "sounding board" capacity.

The New York Times wrote of Axelrod recently:

In many ways, Mr. Axelrod is a classic example of the Washington political consultant (even though he lives in Chicago and says he has no intention of moving to the capital if Mr. Obama wins). He has been making advertisements and offering advice for candidates for mayor, senator and president for a generation, since quitting his job as a newspaper reporter in 1984. He has a particular specialty in helping black candidates appeal to white electorates and has tallied up a list of corporate clients along the way.

But Mr. Axelrod, in this client-consultant relationship, appears to be something different, with a personal investment in Mr. Obama's success that is obvious in the distress marked on his face whenever the candidate comes under attack.

Every politician has a guardian angel, and every presidential hopeful has a right-hand dispenser of wisdom. Yet in the trio of top strategists around Mr. Obama, including Robert Gibbs, a senior communications adviser, and David Plouffe, the campaign manager, it is Mr. Axelrod who has been at Mr. Obama's side the longest and has the most interwoven relationship with him.

"Although he is as tough as they come, he's actually not a mercenary," said Mr. Obama, of Illinois, in an interview. "He actually believes in what we're doing, which actually makes him a bad consultant when he doesn't believe in the candidate. And he's a great consultant when he believes."

Go here for news on Obama's Cabinet and the transition.

Comments

[PoliJunkie]

I am loving Chicago right now! After having moved 2 1/2 years ago from San Diego, being back in my hometown has made me proud once again. I must say I have a huge crush on Axelrod (blushing) :-)

[Thecuddlyleft]

??? why god why?? a crush!?! oh boy....

[Ccouncil]

Of course they need to be qualified...but all I am saying varied types of people voted for him, so his hiring needs to reflect that variety. I would definately like to see some young people (27-38yrs) with experience in positions as well.

Jesse Jackson Jr should be picked for the position Barack is leaving. I would like an AA in the Senate now that Barack has another position. Barack was the lone AA in the senate and so his position needs to go to Jesse (he has over 13 years of experience and missed 2 votes in 14 years career no other in Chicago can boast that record) or another AA. I researched all the recipients they are thinking about and Jesse has the best record to me.

[equipoise]

What's an AA?

[Ccouncil]

African American

[bdl0715]

I agree, Jesse Jr is the best of the bunch and should get the job, but I also like my former Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky alot.

[Doomestic]

Well, seeing as he is probably the single biggest reason Obama got to where he is today, this comes as no surprise.

[Chaucea]

*is a huge Axelrod fan girl* YAY! Good news! :-)

[13lotus]

another calm, cool, collected, intelligent person...not a surprise pick. david axelrod worked hard and smart...why not keep doing what works!?!?!?

[ericsf7]

anyone else notice how this is quickly becoming the CHICAGO White House? guess it is consolation for the Cubbies never making it to the Series! seriously, though, Barack has a lot of good, very smart, effective people he is calling on. so far so good!

[dubstyleenation]

We are trading texas for chicago white house.

[WatchmanD]

Believe me, it will expand beyond Chicago. Count on it.

[Speakchic]

These ppl have been with him for a long time and since he's from Chicago they should be offered these positions. It will be a broad range of ppl with him but he is rewarding his allies early.

[Wiserone]

I'm originally from Chi-town, but relocated elsewhere for the last 30 years. However, when asked where I'm from, I always say, "geographically from ....... but emotionally, I'll always be a Chi-town Gal." Only those from Chicago know what I mean, so I can understand why Axelrod wouldn't want to move to Washington on a permanent basis.

[milo h minderbinder]

His campaign staff has been brilliant, should he turn away good people just because of where they are from?

I say no.

[Cookie100]

I LOVE BOTH DAVIDS AND ROBERT!

NO DRAMA OBAMA OF COURSE, I KNEW HE'D WIN THE ELECTION, SMOOTHLY AND EASILY, THAT'S WHAT WE PRAYED FOR.

I HAVE WOKEN UP THE LAST 2 DAYS SMILING, THE FIRST TIME IN 8 LONG, MISERABLE YEARS.

OUR NIGHTMARE IS OVER!

THANK YOU AMERICA

[WatchmanD]

I better put my seat belt on, this is gonna be one hell of a ride. As Chris would say, "I feel a tingling in my leg."

[Thecuddlyleft]

u sure that's just a tingling??!?!

[tahoegal]

During this campaign, which I feel was very well run and very positive, Axelrod was consistently under control and respectful in any interviews he participated in. Very calm, modulated, and like Obama stayed on a positive note. I think he will be perfect for this job!

[sillyseason]

Have you noticed this President is surrounding himself with smart people? Biden, Emanuel, and now Axelrod...

Quite frankly, I didn't expect anything less from President-Elect Obama. It will be a great time in America again. Intelligence and pragmatism over cowboy politics... Who woulda thunk it?

[SunshineDaydream]

can you imagine an administration without a single regent university alum? i finally can. yay!!

[OCanadian]

That's the smartest thing about him -- he knows he doesn't know it all and the best people that share his vision fill in the gaps. He listens to them, but he's tough and knowledgeable enough to make his own decisions. He knows how he got where he is, and that was just the beginning. Godspeed, President Elect Obama!

[jtmoney]

He's going to have so much real talent to choose from. We are so lucky.

[SunshineDaydream]

we don't need a bigger government, or a smaller government. we need a better government, a smarter government.

hope wins. intelligence wins. integrity wins.

america wins.

[dubstyleenation]

Yay for for smarter government. Logically, it makes a lot of sense.

[theVoice0fReason]

SMARTiES 'o8!!!

[karma004]

I think Axelrod is a fabulous guy ... great choice BO!!!!

[macbabe]

Christmas has come early this year!!!! ...and I am LOVING IT!!!!!!

[macbabe]

David has EARNED it!!